Green Dog Pesto - Spring
Spring brings with it lots of vibrant new growth, both in the veg patch and in the wild. It`s too good an opportunity to miss!
Full of fresh green goodness, this smoothie recipe for your dog, has a little twist in the form of added nuts and seeds.
Almonds are rich in vitamin E and Magnesium and Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc and selenium. As an alternative to almonds, a brazil nut can be added, but avoid using macadamia or any salted nuts.
At this time of year there is no shortage of seasonal greens, but the following are favourites of mine. Choose a few leaves from the following or add one or two to your dogs usual veggie blend.
Parsley, Basil, Little Gem or Coz lettuce, Wild Garlic, Dandelion leaves, Watercress, Cleavers, Spinach, Chard, Spring Greens, Asparagus stalks.
Many of these are easy to grow at home or can be foraged for and when freshly picked are even more nutritious.
You will need
A selection of Summer greens (approximately 2 cups full)
2 whole, un-blanched Almonds
5 Pumpkin seeds
Splash of water or make a tea from a Hedgerow Hounds herbal blend, Greens, Seeds & Superfoods or Natures Bounty as an example.
How to Make:
Place your selected leaves and any veggies into a smoothie maker or blender and add enough water or your herb tea to blend into a thick puree consistency.
Keep in the fridge and use within 2 days or freeze in individual moulds for later use
If your dog is new to eating vegetables, then start off with small amounts and gradually increase over a week or two. Steamed or pulped, (low GI and low starch) vegetables can make up around 10%-15% of your dogs meals and are a nice addition to any diet.
Caroline Hearn – Hedgerow Hounds
Simple Ways to Improve your Dogs Diet
Adding fresh food to your dog’s meals can give huge health benefits and help in the prevention of many serious diseases .
Not everyone wants to feed raw or home cooked food, and the majority of dogs still eat tinned food or kibble. When manufacturing kibble or muesli-type food, it requires a very high temperature, and many of the nutrients are lost in the cooking process, which are then replaced with synthetic vitamins and mineral supplements.
Adding a few of the following fresh foods at least 3 times a week will supply the dog with vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, anti-oxidants, amino acids, glucosamine, and micro nutrients that they can easily absorb and utilise within their body.
Here are a few simple ways to increase the nutritional value of any meals and add variation:
Bone Broth: Packed full of glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, amino acids & minerals. Great for joint and gut health.
Tinned Pilchards or Sardines: Omega 3 fatty acids & DHA for coat and skin health and anti-inflammatory effects. Choose the ones in tomato juice or spring water
Eggs: Either raw or very lightly cooked, provide high-quality protein and fat, and are a good source of biotin.
Medicinal Mushrooms: Such as Reishi, Chaga, Turkey tail, Shiitake etc, have an abundance of health-giving qualities and are believed to help in cancer prevention and to boost the immunity.
Dandelion leaves: Contain vitamin C, B6, thiamine, calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, and a flavonoid called zeaxanthin, which is crucial for protecting the retina and is an effective antioxidant. Pick from areas free from chemical sprays & pollution.
Berries: Blackberries, when in season, blueberries, and raspberries are packed full of vitamin C and rich in antioxidants.
Fresh leafy greens: Either lightly steam or, as I prefer, make vegetable smoothies for the dogs is a great way to add an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to their meals. It has also been proven to reduce the risk of some cancers just by adding a small amount of vegetables to processed food. Avoid the starchy veg and go for kale, broccoli, spinach, beet tops, dandelion leaves, Parsley, courgette, etc, plus a few berries.
Herbal Blends: Hedgerow Hounds offer a range of herbal blends to add valuable nutrition to your dog’s meal times.